UN expert urges investigation of recent attacks on civilians in northern Darfur

UN expert urges probe of recent attacks in Darfur

GENEVA — A U.N. human rights expert says at least 37 people were killed and more than 50 injured in an apparent attack by a government-backed militia in Sudan’s North Darfur region in early September.

Mohamed Chande Othman said Tuesday that new evidence confirms the violence occurred in a marketplace on Sept. 2 and several witnesses identified the assailants as Arab militias known as janjaweed.

They are said to be backed by Khartoum and responsible for widespread atrocities against ethnic African civilians.

He said Sudanese armed forces and another armed group blocked U.N. peacekeeping teams from reaching the village.

Chande Othman called on Sudan’s government to investigate the killings “thoroughly and impartially” and bring those responsible to justice.